Nautical instrument



. 1, 14,240 J. L. H. HAND NAUTIC-AL INSTRUMENT Jan. 1 1 1927.

' Filed August 25, 1925 Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. H. HAND, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 JOHN E. HAND& SONS COMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application :filed August .25 1925. Serial No. 52,472.

This invention, stated in its broadest terms, relates to nauticalinstruments and has more especial relation to ships binna cles.

In ships binnacles it has been common practice to form the annular baserim and the annular top rim each from an integral casting. This not onlyprovides a heavy frame-work, is expensive, but, in addition necessitatesthe exposure of bolt heads and nuts which is not desirable in aninstrument of the character under discussion when neatness is a primefactor.

The leading object of the present invention is to provide an article ofthe character stated in which is combined a neat and attractivestructure and in which lightness and simplicity of parts are attainedand in which cheapness of manufacture is secured.

A further object resides in the provision of general details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts for attaining the results soughtby said leading object. Other and further objects not at this timeappearing will be hereinafter referred to.

The invention consists of the novel construction hereinafter describedand. finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will bemore fully understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the occompanying' drawings forming part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1, is a View in elevation, partly sectioned, of a ships binnacleembodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, partly sectioned.

Fig. 3, is a fragmentary view, in section, of certain of the partsillustrated at the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4:, is a similar view of certain of the parts shown toward thelower portion of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5, is a view in cross-section of one of the glass sustaining strutsshown in Figs. 3 and 4.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in theaccompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred byme, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentali ties of which my invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and "that my invention s not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as hereinshown and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail the reference numeral 1 designatesthe base of a ships binnacle, in which base the ships compass isoperatively supported, but not shown in the drawings. Carried by base 1,in a manner for rotary movement with respect thereto, is the taperingtop through which inspection of the compass may be had. According to thepresent invention the lower and upper rings between which the binnacleglass is supported are each made in two parts, in contradistinction toan integral casting of parts and each is a substantial duplicate of theother, except the positioning is reversed. Taking up first thedescription of the lower ring, the referere'nce numeral 2 designates anannular member outwardly flared in curved fashion, as at 3. The member 2is made from thin metal, as brass, and the lower part thereof is turnedover upon itself to form a rim 4 which constitutes a bearing upon whichthe binnacle top may be turned with respect to the base 1. The otherpart of the lower ring comprises a fiat, annular, horizontally disposedportion 5 to accomodate the bottoms of the glass panels to be presentlyreferred to. The adjacent outer edges of the two parts of the said lowerring are fitted together to form an annular bead 6. In practice theseparts are usually spun in order to secure a good finish. although ofcourse other methods of attachment may be practiced. Such a ring ischeap to manufacture, contains little metal, although strong, and whilehaving the appearance of a solid ring affords the space 7 between theparts 5 and 3 for attachment of nuts as will presently appear. The upperring is fashioned in the same manner of the same material except it isof smaller diameter and that the parts are reversed, the fiat,horizontal part 8 comprising the lower section and having extendedupwardly and inwardly therefrom the curved part 9 the upper end of whichis upset to form the rim or head 10. The two parts are spun to form aseat to receive the cap 12. Each of the horizontal flats 5 and 8 areVertically apertured in properly spaced relation to receive thescrew-threaded studs of inclined struts. These struts which aredesignated 13 are of circular cross section, see Fig. 5, and

are inclined as plainly illustrated, to provide a tapered effect to thebinnacle. Each strut has projected from its bottom a verticallydisposed, screw-threaded stud 14 for penetrating the flat 5 and hasprojected from its top a similar stud 15. Nuts 16 and 17 are employedfor clamping the struts in place thus effecting a joinder of the upperand lower rings. Each strut 13 is grooved at 1819 to accommodate theglass panels 20- It is apparent that the space 7 referred to withrespect to the lower ring and a space similar thereto which is presentin the upper ring affords ample opportunity to secure the nuts 16 and 17in place and in the connection it is apparent that neither these nuts orprojecting stud ends are visible from the binnacle exterior which inahigh grade article of the character under discussion is important sinceprojecting;

screw-threaded studs and exposed nuts detract from the otherwise tineappearance of a nautical instrument. This, taken together withlightness, cheapness and practicability makes for a most efficient andsatisfactory binnacle.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and usefulconstruction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated asdesirable in the statement of the invention and the above descriptionand while I have in the present instance shown and described thepreferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to givesatisfactory and reliable results it is to be understood that the sameis susceptible of modification in various particulars without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of itsadvantages.

What I claim is:

In a ships binnacle, a lower ring substantially V-shaped in radialcross-section and of relatively large diameter, an upper ringsubstantially V-shaped in radial cross section and of relatively smalldiameter each of said rings being formed of pieces of sheet metalsecured together to form a flat and a band portion, respectively, saidflats being opposed and each having circumferentially spaced apertures,struts each having studs at its ends arranged to pass thru theaperatures normally to said flats, nut-s each secured to its respectivestud within said V-shaped parts for clamping said studs in place, andglass panels fitted between accommodating grooves in adjacent studs.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN L. H. HAND.

